What To Do With Bread That Didn’t Rise: Answered

Last Updated on September 17, 2024 by Lori Walker

Throwing on aprons to bake pastries really *lights up* the holidays. Sometimes though, the dough stays flat, and that’s a bummer. **Flat dough?** Don’t freak out! Plenty of tasty and fun ideas are still on the table. Try whipping up sweet flatbread or a crispy pizza crust. Stay in the kitchen and turn that dough *oops* into something delicious!

Our team researched and compiled ways to salvage bread that did not rise so you can serve your family freshly baked bread or use it for another purpose.

Top 5 Things To Do With Bread That Won’t Rise 

1. Turn Up The Heat

Maybe it is the cold season, or you failed to set your oven to the right temperature. Take note that yeast thrives in warm temperatures [1].

As one of the many solutions, you can turn up the heat to an ideal temperature of about 75°F to 78°F, but do not overdo it because the yeast may die. 

2. Use Quick-Rise Yeast

The rising of dough ultimately depends on the growth and activity of the yeast. 

So, it is only logical that choosing a quick-rise yeast would yield better chances of dough rising, thus producing better quality bread.

“It’s vital you give the yeast a helping hand, otherwise it’ll just slumber lazily.”

– Richard Bertinet, Bath-based baker and food writer

Roll the dough thin, then sprinkle a dash of fast-acting yeast on it. Add moisture to the dough, then knead it gently by hand or with a mixer.

Read: How Do You Fix Dough That’s Been Kneaded Too Much?

3. Make a Sponge

You can revive your failed dough and use it for the next day by making a sponge. 

All you have to do is buy some fresh yeast, mix up a sponge, add a small portion of dough, then let the sponge rise. 

Once it does, cut it into small pieces, then knead them together with your original dough. You can knead it manually or use a mixer. Leave it in your fridge to rise.

4. Make Dessert

The next time your dough fails to rise, do not discard it immediately. Did you know that you can repurpose it into a delectable dessert? 

Roll the dough into a thin rectangle, prepare melted butter and apply it to the dough. Sprinkle some sugar, fold it, and repeat the process. 

Refrigerate it for 30 minutes. Then, place it on a sheet pan, throw in some fruit slices, and bake at 375 F.

Check out these delicious treats you can make with stale cookies here.

5. Make Flatbreads

Cut your dough and roll them into circles. Add flour evenly. Prepare and beat an egg, then brush it on the dough. 

Sprinkle some salt, and sesame seeds, then bake it at 400 F. The baking only takes a few minutes. Aim for a golden color, indicating that your flatbread is ready to be enjoyed. 

Find out how long your wheat bread will last in the fridge here.

Possible Reasons Why Bread Didn’t Rise 

Dead Yeast

Choosing fresh yeast because it is a primary factor in dough rising. Using expired yeast can delay the process simply because it will take more time to grow. 

But how can you differentiate the SAF Instant Yeast Red from Gold?

Excessive Heat

Studies show that the right temperature for yeast growth ranges from 75°F to 78°F. Any temperature below or beyond that would not yield your desired result. 

Note that temperature and atmospheric pressure also affect how the dough’s ingredients react. 

The Kitchen Is Too Cold

Temperature is a key factor in letting the dough rise. Most of the time, the dough fails to rise when the kitchen is too cold. 

Conversely, you will get a sour loaf when your kitchen temperature is too hot. It is also worth noting that the temperature of your kitchen affects fermentation.

But how long will the wheat bread last in the fridge?

Wrong Size Pan

The pan size you will use determines the baking time and temperature [2]. It would be best to use a pan appropriate to the volume of your batter. 

Besides the size, it would also be better to use a non-stick pan. If you use an ordinary pan, wipe it with olive oil to prevent the dough from sticking.

Wrong Timing

Along with a humid environment, another possible reason why dough fails to rise is the time you leave it to rise. 

Depending on the recipe, you would have to leave the dough for about one to three hours to let it rise. Other factors include temperature, gluten development, moisture, and ingredients.

FAQs 

In Summary 

Just because the dough failed to rise does not mean your efforts were in vain. Bear in mind that the rise of dough depends on the growth of the yeast. 

Yeast only thrives in a warm environment, so you must strike a balance with the temperature. 

Give your bread a second chance through just a few tweaks to factors like temperature, time, and ingredients like yeast, sugar, or salt. 

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/yeast
2. https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/loaf-pan-sizes/